Meghalaya High Court Asks CISF To Indicate Its Readiness On Deployment For Curbing Illegal Coal Mining

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday asked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to indicate within fortnight as to how its deployment can be ensured within four weeks in order to check illegal transportation of coal in the State.

A Full bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justices H. S. Thangkhiew, W Diengdoh was hearing a suo motu PIL to curb the menace of Illegal Coal Mining.

In pursuance to Court's previous order for deployment of CISF companies in the State, DSGI Dr N Mozika reported that the logistics to be prepared for the deployment of 10 companies of CISF would take at least four weeks.

Dr Mozika further pointed out that CISF will be proceeding on the basis that the deployment would be necessary for at least two to three years before the State augments its human resources to take over the task.

Observing that the selection of personnel, arrangement of even temporary accommodation and the like may require some time, the bench expressed hope that a disciplined force as the CISF would indicate within a fortnight as to how deployment on the ground can be ensured within four weeks.

The bench further observed that since the State had indicated plans to construct or otherwise provide for accommodation for CAPF personnel, it should ensure its cooperation in the process and provide basic accommodation to the CISF personnel, including the commandants of the companies.

Directing that the CISF should identify or engage one or more persons to be in charge by rotation, the bench added that such personnel should obtain an appointment with Justice Katakey in the presence of representatives of the State and work out the places and modalities for ultimately deploying the 10 companies.

Taking stock of construction of the installation of weigh-bridges, the court asked the state government to ensure that the 23 proposed weigh-bridges are in place and additional efforts be immediately made to install a larger number of weigh-bridges at strategic points upon consultation with the appropriate CISF personnel and under the guidance of Justice Katakey.

The bench listed the matter again on April 12.

Case Title: In Re: (Suo motu): Illegal mining of coal in the State of Meghalaya Vs. State of Meghalaya

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